Paparazzo behind topless Kate Middleton photos ‘is known’

The identity of the photographer who took pictures of the Duchess of Cambridge sunbathing topless has become known to French officials, it has been revealed.

The paparazzo is believed to be one of a notorious band who stalked Princess Diana in the weeks before her death in 1997.

Topless photos of the Duchess of Cambridge emerged in France earlier this year (Picture: Reuters)

He is thought to have taken up to 200 photos of the duke and duchess on the terrace of the Chateau d’Autet in the south of France.

A source close to the case said: ‘A name has been offered. The photographer is expected to be held for questioned imminently.’

Marie-Christine Daubigney, a public prosecutor in the Parisian suburb of Nanterre, said: ‘This new information regarding the photographer will be passed on to investigating magistrates who will act upon it.’

The royal couple lodged a criminal complaint in Paris after the images appeared in French glossy magazine Closer, and then others in Italy, Denmark and Sweden.

Under French law, photographers are usually protected from identification as journalistic contacts.